A former Chelsea player, Joe Cole, has shared his insights regarding the highly anticipated Premier League showdown between Liverpool and Manchester United.
Joe Cole emphasizes the unique intensity of a derby match, acknowledging that these encounters often take on a life of their own, where anything can happen.
However, despite such games’ unpredictability and fierce competition, he confidently leans towards a Liverpool victory.
”It’s a derby and it’s a one-off game. But having said that, you can’t look past this Liverpool side”, the former England international told Paddy Power via Metro.
Cole further suggested that while Manchester United are likely to put up a spirited fight and be competitive throughout the match, he predicts that Liverpool will ultimately emerge victorious with a scoreline of 2-1.
He noted that the Red Devils may pose a threat, particularly through counter-attacks, potentially finding the net once during the match.
However, he believes that they will struggle to maintain their offense under the pressure of Liverpool’s home crowd at Anfield and will likely find themselves pinned back, especially in critical moments of the game.
“Manchester United will turn up, make a game of it, but Liverpool will win 2-1″, he said.
Moreover, Cole expressed a desire for Manchester United fans to approach the current situation with a sense of maturity and acceptance. He encourages them to understand the rebuilding phase the club is undergoing and to support a gradual performance improvement.
The last encounter between these two rivals ended decisively in favour of Liverpool, who dominated the match and secured a commanding 3-0 victory at Old Trafford. This recent history may weigh on Manchester United as they prepare to face their rivals once again at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 5.
